Dentist Salary in 2026
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. They perform procedures from fillings and crowns to extractions and root canals.
Median Salary
$170,950
$14,246/mo
Entry Level
$134,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$212,600
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021) at a national median of $170,950 per year (mean $191,350), or $82.19 per hour, with 124,390 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Dentist Overview
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. They perform procedures from fillings and crowns to extractions and root canals.
Education
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
124K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$82.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$14,246
Dentist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Dentist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Dentist Salary
$186,000
$15,500/month · $7,154/biweekly · $89.42/hr
Dentist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Dentist field.
Entry-level Dentists earn around $134,500, while the top 10% earn $235,050 or more.
Top Paying States for Dentists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $202,000 | +$31,050 |
| New York | $197,000 | +$26,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $171,000 | +$50 |
| Texas | $168,000 | $-2,950 |
| Florida | $168,000 | $-2,950 |
Top Paying Cities for Dentists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $190,010 | +$19,060 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $172,210 | +$1,260 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $163,390 | $-7,560 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $139,990 | $-30,960 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $98,570 | $-72,380 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Dentists, General in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Dentist Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Dentist.
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Clovis, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Fremont, CA
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, AL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, KS
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Mesa, AZ
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Omaha, NE
- Orange, CA
- Orlando, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Roanoke, VA
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- The Woodlands, TX
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Wichita, KS
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Dentist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Dentist from entry level to expert.
$134,500
0-2 years
$174,000
3-7 years
$212,600
8-14 years
$257,500
15+ years
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Dentist Salary FAQ
How much does a Dentist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Dentist in the United States is $170,950 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021); the mean is $191,350. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $134,500, senior professionals around $212,600, and top earners at $257,500 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Dentist?
A Dentist typically requires a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics. Relevant certifications such as NBDE or State Licensure can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Dentists?
The job market for Dentists is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 124K Dentist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Dentists the most?
The highest-paying states for Dentists include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $202,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Dentist salary?
To increase your Dentist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Restorative Dentistry and Oral Surgery. Pursue certifications such as NBDE. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $134,500 to $212,600 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Dentist Salary
How we calculate Dentist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $170,950, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Dentists, General; BLS mean $191,350; BLS hourly median $82.19.
- Entry-level ($134,500) and senior-level ($212,600) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 124,390 Dentists, General jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $170,950; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Dentist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Dentist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Restorative Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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